In 1878 Massachusetts enacted the first probation statute, and Boston hired its first probation officer. In 1880 the Massachusetts legislature approved the first statewide hiring of probation officers. By 1925 all states had laws governing probation for juveniles, and by 1939 approximately 39 states were maintaining laws on probation for adults. By 1967 adult probation was allowed by statute in all states.
Landlords can&rsquo;t force a tenant to get contents insurance, but it&rsquo;s probably in their best interest to do so. Contents insurance will replace all your stuff in the case of a fire or break-in, but it also protects you from liability if something happens in your unit. (TARA WALTON / TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO)
Ask the tenant to provide a written 30-day notice for your records that he will be breaking the lease. Explain to the tenant that he is legally liable for rent for the entire lease agreement; however, you will try to re-rent it as soon as possible as part of the good-faith effort required by most states.